River Brathay: Difference between revisions
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{{SHORTDESC:River in the Langdale Valley}}
{{Infobox rivers
|image = River Brathay at Elter Water (4615).jpeg
The '''River Brathay''', synonymous with its meandering calms near [[Elter Water]], embarks on a journey from the fells to the east of [[Little Langdale]] to the popular shores of [[Windermere]] at [[Waterhead]], near [[Ambleside]]. The Brathay may not be sizable in length but what it lacks here, it makes up for in other ways, especially as it passes through some beautiful countryside, taking in the sights of valley, lake, ford, weir and waterfall. ▼
|name = Rivery Brathay
|historic name = ''Braitha'' c.1157
|name meaning =
|name origin =
|source = Widdy Gill and Wrynose Beck
|source elevation = 175 metres (574 feet)
|mouth = [[River Rothay]]
|length = 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles)
|waterfalls = [[Colwith Force]] / [[Skelwith Force]]
|waterbodies = [[Little Langdale Tarn]] / [[Elter Water]]
|bridges = [[Slater's Bridge]] / [[Woodburn footbridge]]
|tributaries = Multiple ([[River Brathay#Tributaries|see below]])
|latitude = 54.417294
|longitude = -3.0993193
|os-grid = NY 28760 02985
|w3w = hippy.hesitate.cherubs
|gallery = [[River Brathay/Gallery]]
}}
▲The '''River Brathay''', synonymous with its meandering calms near [[Elter Water]], embarks on a journey from the fells to the east of [[Little Langdale]] to the popular shores of [[Windermere]] at [[Waterhead]], near [[Ambleside]]. The Brathay may not be
Most of the river’s length cannot be walked as there are limited paths that lie parallel to or near its banks. There are some sections at [[Colwith Force]], [[Elter Water]], [[Skelwith Force]] and [[Skelwith Bridge]] that offer relaxed, peaceful walking and, in particular, some interesting photographic opportunities. There are other paved sections of A593 and B5286 at [[Clappersgate]] but these can assault the senses with the humdrum of passing traffic. The quieter sections that are walkable are on well-maintained gravel paths.
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''Brathay'' comes from the Old Norse words ''[[wiktionary:breiðr|breiðr]]'' (Old English ''[[wiktionary:brad#Old_English|brād]]'') and ''[[wiktionary:á|á]]'' (cognate with Old English ''[[wiktionary:ea#Old_English|ēa]]'') meaning ''broad + river'',<ref>{{whaley|47}}</ref> named as such due to the historic widening of the river during heavy rainfall enveloping the lower flood plains.<ref>{{gambles|21}}</ref> This is a name familiar also in Iceland and the Faroes.
<div class="res-img">[[File:Elter Water looking towards Park Fell (4606).jpeg]]{{c|The Brathay looking towards [[Park Fell]]}}</div>▼
▲<div class="res-img">[[File:Elter Water looking towards Park Fell (4606).jpeg]]{{c|<small>The Brathay looking towards [[Park Fell]]</small>}}</div>
==The Brathay’s course==
From its humble beginnings at the top of [[Wrynose Pass]] near the [[Three Shire Stone]], the combined waters of Widdy Gill and Wrynose Beck form the Brathay at the head of where these two streams meet. It journeys towards the valley floor passing the rocky prominence of [[Castle Howe]], the site of a possible iron age hill fort, and the ancient monument known as the [[Ting Mound]] at Fell Foot Farm. Blink and you will miss it, but it holds significant archaeological importance as the site of a man-made, early medieval open air meeting place, or Moot, dating back to the 7th–9th centuries.<ref>[https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA116967 Ting Mound at Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale] The National Trust Heritage Records.
The Brathay weaves and winds its way, continuing east under the quirky and attractive [[Slater's Bridge]], the 17th century Grade II listed packhorse bridge,<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1245295?section=official-list-entry Slater's Bridge] Historic England Official List Entry.
From there it passes a fording place to the south of Little Langdale and a set of stepping stones near High Park, before it arrives at [[Colwith Force]], dropping a total of around 12 metres (40 ft) in tiers through a narrow gorge. There are a couple of places where the tumble and fall of white waters provides a dramatic backdrop for the casual photographer, however, caution must be advised as they have steep drops to the rock below.
<div class="res-img">[[File:River Brathay at Skelwith Bridge (4662).jpeg]]{{c|<small>The Brathay from [[Skelwith Force]] looking towards [[Woodburn footbridge]]</small>}}</div>
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<div class="res-img">[[File:Skelwith Force (4644).jpeg]]{{c|<small>The waters of [[Skelwith Force]] under normal conditions</small>}}</div>
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==Tributaries==
In order of flow into the Brathay:
*Wrynose Beck, from [[Wrynose Fell]]
*Widdy Gill, from [[Wrynose Pass]]
*Bleamoss Beck, from [[Blea Tarn]]
*Greenburn Beck, in [[Little Langdale Tarn]]
*Busk Gill, In Little Langdale Tarn
*Ben Beck, south of [[Colwith Force]]
*[[Great Langdale Beck]], in [[Elter Water]]
Additionally, the Brathay is itself a tributary of the [[River Rothay]], which flows for approximately 300 metres before draining into [[Windermere]] at [[Waterhead]].
==Notes==
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==References==
{{reflist}}
{{hatnote|{{improve article}}}}
[[Category:Rivers of the Lake District]]
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